The International Fair Trade Movement: Actors and regulatory approaches

Abstract

This chapter examines the international fair trade movement, which is presently composed of two main private networks: that operating under the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), and that operating under Fairtrade International (FLO). We begin by looking into the historical evolution of this movement in order to understand how and why its current dual structure was consolidated over time (section 1). We then consider the main differences between the two international fair trade organisations in terms of: membership and governance structures; key areas of activities; applicable standards/principles; and control mechanisms (section 2). The chapter concludes by recapitulating the key findings of this comparative analysis, as well as by pointing to areas of complementarity and convergence between the two components of the fair trade movement.